Hong Kong Global STEM Professor

Chair Professor of Systems Biology and Artificial Intelligence

As Lab Manager, Dr. Qiu received her Bachelor and Ph.D degrees in Beijing Normal University of Cell Biology. She worked as Associate Professor in Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University/Beijing Institute of Heart, Lung, and Blood Vessel Diseases (2016), then worked as Instructor in Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, US (2022). She has been as PI of Youth Project and General Project of National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), and as co-I in many other projects. She published 31 reviewed papers including 13 of h-index.

Dr. CHEN finished his Ph.D. in Computer Science at the City University of Hong Kong. His research focuses on the application of artificial intelligence in bioinformatics, including single-cell RNA-seq analysis, and sequence analysis

Computational Biology

Computational Biology

Dr. Tu received his Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. in Computer Application Technology from Northeastern University, under the supervision of Prof. QIAO Jianzhong and Prof. LIN Shukuan. His primary research interests include medical image analysis, computer-aided diagnosis, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and neuroscience. In 2024, Dr. Tu joined Prof. Zhang’s Lab as a Postdoctoral Fellow, where he is currently engaged in research focusing on the analysis of MRI images related to depression, disease diagnosis, and the neurological mechanisms underlying diseases. His work aims to advance our understanding and treatment approaches for mental health disorders through innovative imaging technologies and analytical methodologies.

Fu Qinghui earned her bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Shenzhen University and a master’s degree in Medical Microbiology from The University of Manchester. Currently, in Zhang’s lab, she is working on utilizing behavioral models and molecular methods to understand the neural and immunological mechanisms underlying depression.

Nan Han completed her Bachelor’s degree in Bioinformatics at Harbin Medical University, where she researched enhancer and miRNA/lncRNA regulation with Prof. Juan Xu. She then earned her Master’s degree in Bioinformatics from the Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences / China National Center for Bioinformation, conducting research on alternative splicing and their role in development with Prof. Zhaoqi Liu. Currently, in Prof. Zhang’s lab, she focuses on epigenetic signals and their role in depression.

Kang received his bachelor’s degree in ccomputer science and technology in Northeastern University in China and master’s degree in Software Engineering in JiangNan University. He researches noncoding RNA and explainable AI in genomic model.

Ke received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Nanjing University of Science and Technology and South China University of Technology, respectively. Then, he worked as an engineer in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, focusing on intelligent diagnosis of ophthalmic diseases based on EEG signals, clinical data and images. In Prof. ZHANG’s lab, he is currently working on single-cell and spatial transcriptome-based disease mechanism studies.

Yejun received his Bachelor’s degree in Matheatical Biology(Genomics specialization) in University of Minnesota,Twin cities(UMN). He is also a guest associate editor for Frontiers in Immunology and CNS & Neurological Disorders.Under the guidance of Professor Zhang, Yejun is currently conducting research on non-coding RNA at the JC-STEM laboratory using sc/sn RNAseq and bulk RNA-seq technologies, and is attempting to develop new tools.

Weixu earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science and Technology from Heilongjiang University of Science and Technology and Northeastern University, respectively.

In Prof. Zhang’s lab, Weixu explores intriguing biological questions through AI and computational approaches, with a particular focus on non-coding genes. He leverages machine learning algorithms and bioinformatics methods to decode complex biological systems. Additionally, he maintains the lab’s high-performance computing infrastructure.

Outside of the lab, Weixu enjoys tinkering with mechanical devices, swimming, hiking, and photography.

Yuchuan received his Bachelor’s degree in Information Management and Information Systems from China University in Geosciences (Beijing). He then earned his Master’s degree in Computer Science from Washington University in St. Louis, where he was advised by Prof. William YEOH and co-advised by Prof. Chein-Ju HO.

In JC-STEM Lab, Yuchuan is currently working on medical image analysis using both deep learning and neuroimaging techniques, under the supervision of Prof. ZHANG.

In his spare time, Yuchuan enjoys playing basketball and hiking.

Zhenqian holds a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Nanjing Agricultural University and a Master’s degree in Epidemiology and Health Statistics from Sun Yat-sen University. He is currently focused on developing network-based GWAS methods to identify the allelic networks of disorders and utilizing these genetic biomarkers to subtype diseases.

Chi received his Master’s degree (2023) of Electronic Information Engineering at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, and Bachelor’s degree (2020) of Communication Engineering from the North China Institute of Aerospace Engineering.

Zhang Fei earned a bachelor’s degree from the School of Mathematics and Statistics, Central South University, and a master’s degree from Weill Medical College of Cornell University. In Zhang’s lab, she researches linkage disequilibrium, haplotype blocks, and SNP causality to develop novel GWAS models and uncover psychiatric disorder mechanisms.

Jie ZHANG received her Bachelor’s degree in clinical medicine and master’s degree in clinical oncology from WuHan University, where she focused on the colorectal cancer basic research supervised by prof. Qibin SONG. In ZHANG lab, she will pay attention on the biogenesis and function of circular RNA.

ZHU Yan earned her Bachelor’s degree in Science from Jining University and her Master’s degree in Science from Dalian Maritime University. Currently, she is enrolled in a joint dual-degree program organized by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and Harbin Institute of Technology. Her research paper focuses on the prediction of protein-ligand interactions using deep learning. In Professor Zhang’s lab, ZHU Yan will apply deep learning techniques to investigate the interactions between proteins and compounds of environmental pollutants, and delve into the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Haoning received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from the University of Hong Kong (HKU). Her undergraduate studies laid the foundation for her interest in molecular biology and genetics. In Prof. Zhang’s lab, Haoning employs a variety of molecular biology techniques to unravel the complex roles of non-coding RNAs in disease progression and brain function.

Jiahao earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Clinical Medicine from Tongji University in China. During his studies, he developed a strong interest in cancer biology, particularly in the role of non-coding RNAs within tumor-derived exosomes. Under the guidance of Professor Zhang, Jiahao leverage advanced techniques to uncover potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Xianlin received his Bachelor’s degree in Biology at City University of Hong Kong and Master’s in Bioinformatics at Johns Hopkins University. In Prof. Zhang’s lab, Xianlin will maintain the animal model of depression and explore disease epigenomics in the process of depression intergenerational inheritance leveraging bioinformatics tools.

Yanan graduated with a master’s degree from Zhengzhou University, focusing on research in chronic pain and circRNA. As a Research Assistant in Prof. Zhang’s lab, shw is primarily responsible for administrative tasks. When needed, she also assists with animal and molecular experiments.